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Powell Match Program

University of the Pacific has been honored to receive an extraordinary gift of $125 million from the estate of the late Regents Robert C. and Jeannette Powell. The Powell Fund supports the Powell Scholars as well as the Powell Match program, which will match new endowment gifts up to 1:1 with more than $60 million allocated for endowed scholarship matches and $25 million for endowed academic program matches. An astute businessman, Bob Powell appreciated an opportunity to leverage his philanthropy to inspire others, and with this program, he continues to do so. Jeannette Powell frequently urged the Powell Scholars to "find and follow your passions" and we hope this incredible gift will inspire you to do so as well by taking advantage of this opportunity.

The Powell Match honors their commitment to encourage members of the Pacific community to build endowments through a matching gift program that is significantly improving students' access to a superior education at the University.

The University is leveraging the transformative Powell estate gift for endowed scholarships and academic programs by challenging and inspiring members of the Pacific family, including Regents, alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends, to create their own philanthropic legacies through endowments to benefit Pacific students and the academic offerings at the University.

The Powells

Bob and Jeannette Powell were hard-working and humble people. Neither received a college degree, but that did not limit their success or their belief in the value of higher education. Bob Powell became a visionarydeveloper and entrepreneur; Jeannette was a professional interior designer. For more than 20 years, the Powells, who had homes in Gold River and San Francisco, made important contributions to Pacific. In 2000, the Powells gave the lead gift to the University to name the Jeannette Powell Art Center, and in 2008 they endowed the Powell Scholars Program, Pacific's premier academic merit program.

In addition to their generous financial gifts, the Powells gave generously of their time. Mr. Powell served as a Regent from 1989-93 and was a board member emeritus when he died. Mrs. Powell served on the board from 1999 until her death in December 2012 and was the first Regent to be granted lifetime Regent status. In October 2012, Bob and Jeannette were inducted as inaugural members of Pacific's 1851 Society, which recognizes donors who have contributed $1 million or more to the University. Pacific awarded its highest honor, The Order of Pacific, posthumously to the Powells in May 2013. Both believed in making the Pacific experience available to deserving students-so much so that they left their estate to benefit future students, faculty and staff through endowments.